Dine in the Dark at O.Noir Restaurant

Foodies across the globe are throwing themselves behind a new culinary movement advocating dining in the dark. Originating in Europe, the movement has migrated across the ocean and landed in downtown Montreal in the form of O.Noir restaurant.

The idea behind dining in the dark is that, when robbed of your sense of sight, your remaining senses will become heightened, and you will more authentically be able to savor the intricacies of your food without distraction.

O.Noir also boasts the unique feature of an all-blind wait staff. A strategic move on the part of restaurant owners, (individuals who live their lives without sight can more easily negotiate their way through the dark restaurant), the decision to utilize an entirely blind staff is also a demonstration of social consciousness.

Additionally, O.Noir has teamed up with Horizon Travail, a local organization that trains visually impaired people to enter the work force, to provide jobs for those from a demographic that suffers from a 70% unemployment rate. The restaurant also donates .5% of all profits to local charities and organizations that provide services for blind and visually impaired people.

O.Noir offers a rotating menu of Continental and European fare that, whether you view the restaurant’s concept as progressive or gimmicky, has been well-received by patrons. The restaurant also periodically features live music to keep your ears occupied. The restaurant is open seven nights a week for dinner and is located right off the Guy-Concordia Metro station on the Green Line.